Two weeks from today is Cinco de Mayo.  In case you’ve spent years living under a rock, here’s a little history lesson for you:

Cinco de Mayo (which is Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a celebration held on May 5 (see how that works out?).  It is celebrated in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (translation: The Day of the Battle of Puebla).

It originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, and today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.  In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. 

Just to clarify, though – Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day – the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico – that is celebrated on September 16th.

Basically, Cinco de Mayo is a great day to party and eat lots of yummy food.  At least that’s how I view it, don’t you? 

With the help of one of my favorite Food Network Chefs, Ingrid Hoffmann of Simply Delicioso:

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I will be making the yummy looking Enchiladas Suizas from her new cookbook called “Latin D’Lite”:

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Of course we also need some crafty fun for the kidlets, right?  Here you go – first a fun banner to decorate with (you can click on each image for full size to print and enjoy):

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Next is a really cool taco holder I think the kids will not only have fun making, but using:

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And we can’t leave out cool balloon decor:

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Aren’t those fun?  Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?  Do you do any special activities, parties or food?  I’d love to hear them!

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Note: This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network, but all opinions are my own and not influenced by outside sources.  See my disclosure policy here.